All That Buzz!

Hi,

Krystal here, thanks for all the wonderful comments and support. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. If anyone can be an inspiration, it's definitely people on the outside looking in. So again, Thank you so much for understanding that God doesn't make bad people, but rather He makes good people who sometimes make bad decisions. 

Onward!

This is my first blog post, so please bare with me and we will see how this goes. LOL

I had no idea what a mixed media canvas was until I saw Deb making her last one. While I worked on other things, I found myself glancing over and over again at her work of art thinking how beautiful it was turning out. That was my inspiration to start making this. She asked me for a couple of ideas and I gave mine freely. As I watched it all unfold, I was just amazed at the talent she had and quickly began to think of what I could do if I made one.

My First Lesson:

The first lesson I had to learn was patience. I'm not a patient person at all. LOL. I rushed to the store, spent too much money on all these things I pictured on my canvas... Only to get home to start my project and realize I didn't know the first thing about making a mixed media canvas... After the initial disappointment set in, Deb instructed me to go onto you tube and start researching. 

The first tutorial I watched was a Halloween themed mixed media. I remember being completely awed as I watched the transformations take place. Oh, to my delight I wanted to make that exact one... Haha. After that video I was hooked! I spent my days working and taking care of my daughter and my evenings were filled with my eyes glued to youtube. I learned what many products were used for, different techniques and how a few off the wall items can make your projects truly spectacular. I found myself thinking ahead of the videos and realized that I would have done some of the exact same things as those particular artists. What I learned most however, is that you are only truly limited by your own imagination. So video after video, hour after hour, and many nights up till 3-4 am, I realized I better start putting my thoughts into actions. This was getting completely out of control. I feared I would turn into a zombie at any second! LOL

And so I started..With canvas in hand, I began to paint a background using fabric 3d paints with glitter. It looked great when I finished so I got a little more brave. I found a stamp of some heart patterns and began to stamp on the background for that "awesome" effect. However.. it looked hideous! Haha But I thought I could save it, so I went ahead and added the texture for the flowers.. 

Lesson Number Two:

All things can be fixed.. Gesso here I come! So I covered it up with a couple of layers of Gesso and started again. This time I used some of the Tattered Angels Glitter Mists. That is how the background came to be. I added the stars next. I used a bit of leaves ribbon on the bottom, thinking that would give a vine effect. Then I gesso'd and began to paint! The leaves were the hardest to do because at first they faded out. I fixed it by adding a little fabric paint to highlight the leaves and vines. Next came the flowers, and I started with orange.. that is how I ended up with the orange-sunflowers. 

Lesson Number Three:

Art never really turns out the way you imagined it! I went into this with a girlish frame of mind. I envisioned neon colors and bright glitter, sparkles and bling.. Only to discover, this would be anything but. LOL

After painting, I added the beads and stained insects. I painted the borders and made a few mistakes, so now I needed something to cover up the mistakes. That's how I ended up with the border and the lace around the canvas itself. Last but not least, the beautiful butterfly went on last.

Over all, I am so excited to have finished this project and made it out with all my hair, and a beautiful piece of work. I've never been so proud of something I have made, EXCEPT my beautiful Evangeline. :)

Well guys, that's my first mixed media canvas and my first blog post. I cannot thank you guys enough for taking time out of your day to read this, and I hope you continue to support me as I grow not only within my own imagination, but as well as spiritually and maturely to become the best person I can be for myself and for my daughter as well.

Krystal